Sweetman Podcast

An in-depth conversation with musician, composer, arranger and producer Claire Cowan. She is the leader of the Blackbird Ensemble, she is writing a brand new score for the Royal New Zealand Ballet, she is a soundtrack composer for TV and film and is both a writer and performer (cello, piano, guitar, percussion). So we talked through her life and work and plugged the current Blackbird Ensemble Bjork shows.

An in-depth conversation with Wellington actor Simon Leary. We talk through his life and the steps he took to train and learn the craft of acting. We talk improv, drama, comedy, writing, the pantomime, via touchstones including The Simpsons and The Office. And we plug the brand new Circa Theatre show, "COCK" and the upcoming pantomime which Simon is not only starring in but is also co-writing.

An in-depth conversation with Japanese/Kiwi musician Mark de Clive-Lowe. We chat about his journey through his bi-cultural heritage and Kiwi upbringing to being an international jazz citizen of the world, currently living in America. We talk about meeting heroes, making music with them, working with

An in-depth conversation with Dean Chandler. The Wellington-based singer/songwriter released his self-titled debut album in the early/mid-00s and it featured guest appearances by Emmylou Harris, Norah Jones, Bic Runga, Larry Campbell and was produced by Brady Blade. The album ran its course and disappeared. It's largely forgotten. And Dean has full time employment far away from the music industry. We revisited his story and how all of this happened.

An in-depth conversation with investigative journalist, reporter, producer Paula Penfold. We talk journalism - we talk about some of the cases she's cracked and worked on, about the work pressures and the stress of trolls. We talk about producing and what goes on behind the scenes, about dedication to the story and the work she's doing now at Stuff Circuit as well as the work she's done as broadcaster and producer on radio and TV.

An in-depth conversation with songwriter and musician Don McGlashan. We talk through his various bands and projects including the Blam Blam Blam reunion. We talk songs and writing and the shaping of music. We talk, leaning against a wall in Wellington while the world's passing by. We are almost there on the edge of a scene in a Don McGlashan song. If only...

An in-depth conversation with musician Nathan Haines. We talk right through his life from his child-prodigy days in a musical family through to working in the UK as both featured star and a sideman - so many collaborations and connections. Haines also talks addiction and a recent cancer diagnosis. He has survived, is grateful and is seeking to move forward with many musical projects and a young family. A huge conversation.

An in-depth conversation with GInette McDonald. We talk acting, we talk Lyn of Tawa, we talk OE - the early experience in London - and to recent theatrical successes ("Joan") and the upcoming Pink Hammer. We talk theatre, TV, movies - acting techniques - and I just generally enjoy being in the presence of a living legend of both serious acting and comedic monologues.

An in-depth conversation with Marek Peszynski. He is now the Marketing Manager for Orchestra Wellington. He's also a DJ, a former record store worker, member of the group Eastern Bloc and radio-show host. Marek held many DJ residencies around Wellington in the early/mid-00s before moving overseas for a bit, returning to become an occasional tour promoter and tastemaker in local hip-hop circles. We once worked together, going back over 15 years now. So we talk through all of this and more.

An in-depth conversation with comedian Jerome Chandrahasen. We talk open-mics and getting started, from school debating teams to the Edinburgh Fringe and to mental health and understanding the highs and lows associated with speaking from the stage. We also talk about reviews and criticism and some of his favourite comedians as well as some of his favourite music gigs.

An in-depth conversation with Kiwi-born, Australian-based pianist Jan Preston. We talk through her recent double wrist-break injury and then back to her classical training and her time spent with Red Mole and Coup d'Etat ahead of reinventing herself as film soundtrack composer (often collaborating with her sister Gaylene) and to the stride and boogie woogie styles that have captivated her as a solo pianist across the last two decades.

An in-depth conversation with drummer, Heavy Metal fan, tour promoter, swim-coach, horror-movie obsessive and the driving force behind the band Bulletbelt, Steve Francis. We talk about his childhood in Masterton his addictions to metal, horror films and tattoos - and his time spent in and around the Wellington heavy metal scene. We talk about Bulletbelt's song for the movie "Deathgasm" and his hopes and ambitions for music.

An in-depth conversation with violinist Miles Golding. A classically trained chamber musician, Golding, born in Australia, lived in New Zealand during his childhood and was an original member of Split Ends/Enz - he left the group in 1973 (before they'd recorded a full album) and moved to England to continue his classical studies. We talk through his memories of the early Enz and his musical upbringing, his classical music pursuits and his reconnecting with both Tim Finn (playing on 2008's "The Conversation") and Phil Judd (recording on Judd's recent works).

An in-depth conversation with writer (and friend) Carl Shuker. We talk about the long road to his new book, A Mistake. We go back to his childhood in Timaru and work from there to the IIML in Wellington when Bill Manhire was at the helm. To Carl meeting Katy (now my wife) and Anna Smaill (his wife). To the influences that shaped him and the insecurities that can still plague. This is a long chat - over many drinks - discussing our friendship, parenting, writing and many shared experiences as well as Carl's journey from Timaru to being one of New Zealand's greatest living novelists.

An in-depth conversation with actor Sophie Hambleton. We talk about her role as "Carol" on popular TV show, Westside. Her training and work - to this day - in theatre. We preview the upcoming "Burn Her" theatre work at Circa and discuss here recent turn as Nora in an updated rendition of Ibsen's classic, "A Doll's House". We talk, too, of what it was like growing up with her actor dad, Peter Hambleton (The Hobbit).

An in-depth conversation with Beastwars' lead singer Matt Hyde. We talk through his early life and careers including his stints in hospitality and music; he was all but ready to chuck the towel in (again) when he found himself fronting the Wellington-based metal/rock band Beastwars. They released three great albums and then broke-up. Matt was diagnosed with cancer. He responded well to the treatment and the band gathered to record new songs, to be together. Now, a year on that album has been readied for release. We talk about all of this and more.

An in-depth conversation with comedian and podcast host and producer Tim Batt. We talk through his journey into comedy and focus on "The Worst Idea Of All Time" - a podcast by Tim and Guy Montgomery that sees them reviewing the same film every week for a whole year. We talk about the seasons to date and the lack of an exit plan from that podcast. We chat all things comedy including criticism and reviews and the uneasy nature and obvious tension between reviewers and comics.

An in-depth conversation with Split Enz keyboardist, songwriter and arranger Eddie Rayner. We talk through his life and times including stints with Space Waltz and Crowded House. We talk through the career of Split Enz and to ENZSO, solo albums, recording with Paul McCartney and the many other highlights in Rayner's long musical career.

An in-depth conversation with Wellington-based, Auckland and Far North-raised poet Sugar Magnolia Wilson. We talk about - and she reads from - her book, "Because a Woman's Heart is Like a Needle at the Bottom of the Ocean" and we talk about poetry in general and have a big discussion also about critics and criticism. We talk too about her life and upbringing and all of the elements that go into poetry; hers and the poetry of others.

An in-depth conversation with American session drummer Gregg Bissonette. We talk through his incredible career and how through his timing, talent, luck - and faith - he has played with many of his heroes. He went from being a Maynard Ferguson fan to playing in his band, from wishing he could join Van Halen to playing with David Lee Roth and he's currently the touring drummer for Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band. It seems like manifest destiny with the young Bissonette taken to see The Beatles at Shea Stadium as an eager drum-devotee. We talk about his time doing sessions with Joe Satriani and subbing for Toto. And his current NZ tour with Rodger Fox's Jazz Gala.